Boy George on drugs, Buddhism and Lady Gaga - Encore!

After battling drug addiction for years, Boy George is back with a new album, "This Is What I do". Best known for his hits in the 1980s, the former lead singer of "Culture Club" has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga. He is now touring all over the world, offering his fans new material. He sat down in Paris with Clovis Casali to talk about his career and what the future holds for him.
04/03/2014 ENCORE
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[@lizallewellyn4145]

One thing I always notice about Boy George in his interviews - he is a very genuinely nice person. Very positive about life and polite to his interviewers!

[@Frenchblue8]

***** oh what fun! You get a gold star! Maybe mommy will give you a cookie for dessert.

[@cheechalker8430]

I agree with you. I think he was raised in a strong family and taught to be polite.

[@Briannafrancis-e9g]

Liza Llewellyn and he giggles when nervous ..love him

[@8solange]

I'm 72 and still love the Boy! Actually saw him in concert and he was fabulous!

[@iwontbebeat7111]

Well, Ive had a chance to meet him personally recently by coincidence ...like with in this month...lol 😂 and really I agree with you 110%. 🙌 He was just like as you said . Also what I could tell was he is also a very deep minded person. I could tell he went through a lot . I could tell He is actually thought tru a lot and experienced a lot of things.. An Smart deep person with very positive attitudes but actually a high priest or high monk like .

[@heatherhillman1]

The world is a more colorful and better place with Boy George in it! Love him!

[@gustavoesquivel5865]

His laugh/giggle makes me smile. He is awesome and don't care what anyone says gay or straight. Boy George had/has an amazing voice.

[@uchibauki2515]

He has the most beautiful eyes and his smokey eyes make up is awesome!

[@anastaciaemilia4026]

AGREE. To me, Liz Taylor's come second to BG's obscenely beautiful eyes. He has got the most sizzling beauty, And soooo talented. and loveliest personality and character

[@VenusElectricRecords]

He has such great character. Very maligned and underrated but we owe him more than we even realize. I love how when the interviewer asked him about whether faith helped him overcome addiction he absolutely doesn't flinch from this question.

[@themudpit621]

"Not really No"

[@DexterHaven]

Boy George is the most underrated songwriter.

[@UnderTheTableGremlin]

HONESTLY

[@barbaraazzato-criscuolo884]

THATS BULL

[@UnderTheTableGremlin]

+barbara azzato-criscuolo GTFO

[@beaurline1]

"The great thing about the past is it's always behind you." I like that. A lot.

[@odalisgonzalez6875]

Adorable as always. I agree with him on how today's music artist does not have a unique voice. They do not stand out. In the 80s I knew every group and singer. I dont care for todays talent.

[@danfrost3043]

+odalis gonzalez ...... Couldn't agree more, In the 80s you always knew who was playing on the radio because they all had their own identity. Today , they all sound the same........I call them "Just Add Water" singers, here today, gone tomorrow.

[@RocStarr913]

+LivinLikeaRefugee There are a few out there, but the problem is that all the performers now are pressured by the record labels to score hits and the record labels are now run by giant multimedia corporations that know more about how to make a lot of money entertaining people in far most basic ways imaginable than about music. They are likely not getting much attention or support and therefore never catch on with the public and just get dropped.

[@MontagZoso]

Kelly Em4 I got his point though... what he meant was that you could differentiate between different bands/singers...it just all sounds the same these days and it’s boring.

[@sheliafrench7857]

odalis gonzalez agree 100 percent

[@servicarrider]

I'm glad to see that he is healthy now. Drugs kill. He dodged a bullet.

[@babythundercloud]

What a gem.. I always had such a huge crush on boy George.. and was absolutely in love with him. He's still hansome as ever. 💋

[@karenwalker6032]

Love George....Love George...Love George...Always Have...Always will......whatever he says is ALWAYS bang on!

[@alexkotor]

+Karen Walker obsessed much

[@Ontheroxxwithsalt]

Still the most beautiful eyes, swoon...

[@kennethyosores7249]

Nice songs

[@karencooper7801]

The most beautiful eyes, and laugh that in infectious, and it is a happy laugh! So glad you troubles are way behind you, and now your true talent can shine through. Thank you for your wisdom on life, spoken truthfully and with sincerity. Been a fan since the very start of Culture Club💖💖💖

[@jenniferlee948]

Learn English

[@elizebot4238]

He is the most honest and beautiful soul....I believe in second chances Boy George you still King on the street happy u are still you!!

[@thestick52]

A true artist, Boy George's a poet. Greetings from Florianópolis, Brazil.

[@ExclusiveLM]

possums......Boy George also influenced me when I was a young rabbit. I remember banging into a wall from the excite when I saw him/her. --- Sincerely, Dame Edna.

[@varietyyachtsvessels6769]

He's the kind of person that I would like to be friends with.

[@donnalee458]

Same!

[@julimoreno173]

Me too!

[@niskamelchionne1942]

Me three

[@teresita.lozada]

Same

[@redrumax]

George is a lovely person. and very sweet.

[@mrwantmojoe]

Love the hat, love the beard, love the eyes.....HE'S back YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rjnuzzi1648]

He's an underrated musical icon & musician... his new vibrato is gorgeous

[@alee1853]

He is so Relevant and forever Relevant, Nice to see him being himself, peace, warm, genuine. Love is his sensitivity, humanity, honesty and most, his smile. Pretty Soul !!

[@tisha2159]

Missing Prince. It was so nice to see the 80s musician coming back full force, Madonna, Prince, Boy George, David Bowie... I hope Boy George stay around for awhile.

[@ivyvines6708]

Tisha, ohhhhh,, I believe that he will. No question about it. ;-) ;-) ;-)

[@hazelblair6634]

i always like to hear Gorge speaking he make such sense of what to others is a complicated thing to put across, Lovely man. x

[@cholazo4580]

also he is absolutely gorgeous and intelligent

[@kittie1973]

he looks fantastic, he is still a very beautiful person, and has over come many obstacles in his life. Looking forward to the new collaboration with culture club!

[@sunshinencoastlines]

Isn’t he just a man that you would love to sit down with for a couple of hours and have a good chat? I think so. ❤️

[@marclawrence66]

What a lovely interview! Great to see George on such good form & so happy. Really enjoyable & a great interviewer too.

[@AndrewHaym]

I also agree with George that all the music today belongs to a pop formula. Everyone had a different sound back in the 80s. Boy George sounded different from Duran Duran, and Duran Duran sounded way different than Bowie. Back then there were so many extraordinary and moving songs. Lady Gaga belongs to the formula that George is talking about. It isn't creative, and it isn't original.

[@kevinmeercat919]

And you are a pop music expert .

[@EphemeralProductions]

Her art and how she does her style and videos is definitely unique and interesting. But the actual music? I agree with you in that aspect.

[@dana.1546]

When you listen to "Union Of The Snake" and "Let's Dance", I'm not sure that Duran Duran sounded way different than Bowie. :) They even stole him engineer Nile Rodgers to even sound more like David Bowie back in '83-84. But I see what you mean. It depends on the record. "Hungry Like The Wolf" sure didn't sound like "Heroes" or "Ashes To Ashes".

[@TracyAVG]

Love Boy George! I could listen to him talk (or sing!) all day. So fascinating and funny. And that hat?!! To Die For!!!

[@susanthorne8555]

His laugh and smile and his genuiness come out in his interviews,love him

[@nat1XP]

this is an awesome interview

[@Fluffy-to8ns]

Getting older really suits him. He looks so relaxed.

[@krazyoldkatlady192]

How can you not love George! He's amazing!

[@jillandrobcarroll6234]

I love this man!!! Very beautiful spirit!!

[@softshallow7435]

George is an inspiration, he is living more of a cleaner life than many other artists of his time and a lot unfortunately died from there ways. George saw the light. Hopefully he will be around for years to come. Even dancing around in his 90’s!

[@petestrat07]

What he's saying about music being formulated these day relates to movies also. We've really got to sift through the chaff to find the wheat.

[@irshgrl500]

This is a nice interview.

[@barbaraazzato-criscuolo884]

OMG I LOVE BOY GEORGE SINCE I'M A KID. ACTUALLY I'M STILL A KID AT HEART LOL !!!! WELCOME BACK BOY GEORGE!!!!!!! I"M SO HAPPY HE GOT OVER HIS DRUG ADDICTION AND STARTED HIS LIFE FOR THE BETTER... JUST GOT TO LOVE THIS MAN

[@HORSESWELUV]

Finally an artist with a brain.So glad to have you back.Please save us from becoming beleivers lol

[@jcdova29]

Boy George is always a polite respectful person and I love that about him. Of course his glamorous style is the obvious thing too.

[@ZsaJGadot]

Glad to see Boy still going strong!

[@flavianomadink]

The one and only, Boy George. Much love whenever you go.

[@mrmrso228]

He is so right about music today verses music of the past and that goes for all styles of music.

[@christinebostick1179]

oh I agree...

[@christinebostick1179]

yes he is...musicians these days lack creatitivity....it all sounds the same now. all of the best music came out in the 60s, 70s and 80s....

[@soniaceciliagonzales9943]

Boy George gracias por tus mensajesde amor en tus canciones.Eres el mejor

[@jacquesbazinet2172]

He was great from day 1 of Culture Club. great songwriter great vocalist great showman great band and all positive messages

[@TomSolsvik]

what a great interview, as always George is brilliant!!! he gives a lot of himself, and answer honest, This is what i do is, brilliant and all the songs are hits and we can only wait for Culture Clubs New album.... very interesting and exciting

[@bertaandrade6922]

Boy George. Amazing singer love his fashion 80s. 💕🌹🙌🏻

[@ninacipriano9836]

Beautiful man!!!! Most underrated songwriter!!!!!!

[@alida2011]

Love Boy George, wish him lots of successes..😍😍😍

[@UnderTheTableGremlin]

He's my favorite person. That is all.

[@baa6]

So charming in this interview. Bless you George.

[@alphasxsignal]

He knows his history of music thats for sure.

[@melbias5046]

have to admit george has a style all of it's own.

[@dollielouise2178]

Boy George is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Thank god for him. Xxx

[@bex7229]

Still love this guy!!

[@KennethMcGrath]

Buddhism is definitely considered one of the world's "great religions" by academics of religious anthropology. One doesn't need a deity to have a religion. Now, we can also call it a philosophy or a worldview or whatever... but I think that's dodging the issue. For starters, there are so many variations of Buddhism, from Pure Land (definitely a religion) to Dzogchen to Zen, and so on. Perhaps he is speaking for himself in that instance. I couldn't make out the variety of Buddhism that he claims to practice. Boy George is clearly a formidable musician, personality, entrepreneur, and entertainer. I thought his comment about taking "homage" (essentially) as a compliment was refreshing. He's right, I think, that artists ventriloquate or construct their sound/image/brand based on artists they've grown up with or have studied. Why take it as an offense when someone "copies" aspects of your talent? Aside from losing market share to a new competitor, which may be why Madonna has her issues with Lady Gaga, what's the big deal? Madonna re-invented herself numerous times already... but Boy George seems to have mastered that with grace and dignity. #peace

[@sandrajolicoeur9174]

Smart and honest. Really like hearing what he always says. Thank you. 😊💖

[@buckoramsey5865]

Boy George is so awesome !!!

[@stephdaulton3604]

Boy George is frickin awesome 💕

[@DexterHaven]

6:01 yes, another Brit, Bert Russell, used to say that the "past is perfect" - as in, it is done, and you survived it, it can't hurt you any more.

[@marybradshaw6804]

Thank you for this. Boy George is very sincere. Well done

[@meredithk7610]

wow how is voice has seasoned...nice! Well wishes to you George......

[@g.marksman1769]

Boy George was a trendsetter in the 1980s and a major influence on the hair band scene! Way ahead of his time, a lot people weren’t ready for him (especially here in the US) and that effected his career for sure. Any new artists of the past decade or two, who have similarities with Boy George, all need to show some respect and give thanks to him. Seriously y’all. ✌🏼😎from sunny Southern California

[@alieolie3462]

It was nice to see that Boy George is doing better And there's a new album in the near future.

[@baronvg]

For a guy who built his style & look on 80s androgyny, he sure can grow a nice, manly beard. haha

[@Frenchblue8]

***** okay. I give every unpleasant, mean spirited, insulting, nasty piece of work a second chance. Actually, no I don't.

[@ppena4128]

its very becoming..

[@Frenchblue8]

OMG, I just noticed that his mum is in this video! How cute is that!!

[@DexterHaven]

7:25 yes, the band Offspring was a good example - they formed and then learned how to play on the job. When one is forced to play to eat, it helps. Plus, Dexter Holland had a great voice for punk.

[@ashlisisk]

Love George as always great to see him balanced and happy, so great!

[@enriquemoon]

He's a legend

[@kachi2782]

If aliens visit this planet, i wish they meet people like Boy George and realize that there is something not so bad about mankind. He is a masterpiece of evolution.

[@williamchanchan7845]

Absolutely 80's Iconic beautiful Voice Boy George Culture club

[@briw3385]

That interviewer was so compassionate and understanding. Cheers

[@denyssandovalexcelente8925]

i love his hats

[@GAIL007]

Boy George is pure love he is special love him x

[@hiseyes]

bravo, boy george, bravo!

[@aannets]

Here Here

[@ACB2K]

Love Boy George..

[@BrentStrathdeePehi]

when George refers to the 80s being less formulaic and more creative I guess he's meaning the early to mid 80s cos the whole Stock Aitken & Waterman era hit hard in the late 80's and pretty much established the pop formula as we know it now. I sometimes think of the artists that did songs like 'we are the world' and how awesome they were - then imagine if they were to do an equivalent now with the current crop - it'd be horrible!

[@patriciahadley2374]

Interesting point. 'We are the world' sung by today's (so called) top singers. Yikes, I need help in thinking of even one singer with an outstanding voice or method of singing. Imagine trying to gather up a group of singers.

[@OoMASEoO]

He is really handsome... beneath the makeup... especially in black and white, when he looks to the right of the camera

[@gingerrhodes230]

And without!! the Beard!!

[@chazmcneillie]

he has really lovley eyes like his music even as a young child boy George forever ♥

[@carolinaleger7409]

I so love you Boy welcome back baby mister Boy kissssssss !

[@DexterHaven]

And "Mister Man."

[@deborahscofield6738]

George is culture club. He doesn't need the band. The band needs him contrary to Jon Moss comments. I am so glad he is sober. I've watched as many interviews I can. George is so inspiring and strong. Thank you George!!!

[@patriciaheidgerken9210]

What a guy...love him, LOVE him...

[@TELEVISIBLE]

I am so happy that he is coming back

[@mkaysato1]

Boy George and Sam Smith have to do a duet, please.

[@aannets]

A great great man, works so hard, we love him !!!

[@celularmotog5887]

Love ❤️ Boy George 💋🇧🇷🌠🇧🇷🇱🇷

[@adamwebbartistwriterwebb7760]

I love David Bowie. I live in Maidstone, Kent, where David played with the Mannish Boys. His bass player still lives here. He’s a superb pianist now

[@willembritz4666]

Great voice!

[@judithhand4987]

Just watched a clip of Boy George on the program "Who Do You Think You Are?" (a geneology program based on ancestry.com) and decided to find another. This goes back 5 years. I don't know how he got sober, but I'm thrilled for him. By now, I'm calculating that he's been clean about a decade? Well done, you, Boy George!

[@AngieRocks011]

I love me some Boy George!!!

[@denadear]

I LOVE him!

[@frankfrancesco1156]

Him the gorgeous eyes boy so admirable, so glamorous so cool God bless you always never stop Shining

[@analiamore54]

te amo George te amo, estas mas lindo que nunca!!! hermoso XX no me canso de mirarte,espectacular ese sombrero!!

[@brendalamson7980]

I'm enjoying you as much as I did in the 80's. And it's a blessing to see you back. As it should be.

[@ivyvines6708]

If I could ever meet anyone famous (and talented) and become friends with, I would want it to be Boy George no question. ;-) ;-) ;-)

[@mifnp8887]

I LOVE that hat!!

[@anonnymous4684]

Madonna was flattered by Lady Gaga to begin with but then when she plagiarised Express Yourself and then publicly thanked Whitney Houston - of all people- for the inspiration you can see why Madonna would end up being irritated by it. It's fine to reference other artists, and that's what everyone does including Madonna, but you should at least have the good grace to properly credit your sources.

[@OoMASEoO]

Born This Way sounds way more Whitney then Madge. You're delusional if you think anything else.

[@anonnymous4684]

OoMASEoO I can't think any Whitney Houston song that sounds like Born This Way. When Born This Way was release Express Yourself started trending on Twitter as people around the world started to note the similarities. Also, from the Wikipedia page for Born This Way not only does it feature a photograph of Madonna but she's mentioned multiple times in relation to the plagiarism/'inspiration' issue: ''Many critics noted similarities between "Born This Way" and Madonna's 1989 song, "Express Yourself"...Megan Friedman from Time and Marissa Moss from The Huffington Post summarized their reaction as "mixed", due to the similarities they found with "Express Yourself".[25][51] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph noted that the imitative nature of the song would affect perceptions of Gaga's artistry, since "Born This Way" was "[basically] a reworking of Madonna's 'Express Yourself' with a touch of 'Vogue', which is a bit too much Madonna for someone who is trying to establish her own identity as the, er, new Madonna.''

[@TMBuxton]

She thanked Whitney?? That's just egregious. It's one thing to steal from another artist, but then not to properly credit them is a d-bag move. I wouldn't blame Madge for feeling some type of way about that slight, whether it was intentional or not.

[@michaelfacenda9293]

See that's where you half wrong Madonna even said she didn't think it sounded the same and then when everyone was hyping it up she followed with it and to this day it still doesn't sound the same

[@TMBuxton]

It's not a coincidence that it was noticed by several critics in the aforementioned Wiki article (and by other people in this thread) that there are similarities. Just because Madonna doesn't hear it, doesn't mean someone with a trained ear can't. It's not bad to say that she borrowed from the song (people do it all the time). It's not like she's gonna get burned at the stake; but to deny that it's there is foolish.

[@mariamalhotra8228]

The colourful, evergreen, sensitive and expressive Boy George!

[@reeses_unicorn]

Boy George is so charming and beautiful. 💖

[@LuvStorms]

He's adorable to look at and listen to.

[@barbarastepien-foad4519]

As a brought up Catholic that is so true...I too have come across the way towards Buddhism and the spirituality of Balinese Hinduism...

[@freakyscumbag]

Best thing I like about boy George is the fact that he’s a straight. Talker,,,he don’t beat about the bush